The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1887-01-14
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER

WASHINGTON ID. C.. ian. Ilth, .Sx1.
The weeks work in Congress can be easily
summarized, as the Sen ate was in session on
ly three days and the House four. Besides 4
good of Other private legislation tn. Sen
ate pensioned the widow Of General Logan at
$1,000 year, secretly discussed the Mexican
Reciprocity, and debated the important pend
ing bill on Interstate Commerce. The House
passed three Of The regular Appropriation
bills. several dozen private pension bills, and
discussed bills Oh the Public Buildings and
Naval ReorganiZ ,tion. Bat what should be
emphasized in the work Of Democratic
House is the passage, without opposition, and
without any provision for Confederate SOL
appropriating over S7',00JOo).
This amount is i,rariy as much IS were the
entire expenses of the GoSernm .nt before the
war, aud it ought TO put the Republican rant
ers of the last Presidential campaign 10 the
blush, if any thing could. Democratic close
1stedness, indeed. Wltlein does it consist:
Senator Beck has by no means given up
his intention If pusi, ing his bill to prohibit
members OF Congress as acting as attorneys
for railroads which have received Govern
ment aid, although his long silence had led
some Of the railroad Senator. to Lole that he
would not again he confronted 10y this rug
bear. Ii is Il sore trial fr them to have 10
face this dreadful measure, especially since
H. . 4 , H.,
unanimou, public sentiment. The debate Oh
the Interstate Commsree bl!! j. being long
drawn out in the Senate as 4 shield To keep
Mr. Beck of, but even It must come to an end
es for or against IT,
Ii seems that the Revenue f, form lpes-
ton is really coming to the front now. and
that another eff ,rt will be by the internal rev.
enue men. Mr.. Randall and his followers
They will advocate that the Which,, of the to-
bacco tax be removed. tlia, the laN on alcO.
hol used in the arts be abolished. and that
fruit brandies be relieved Of tax, but as to
whether they will attempt any Tariff altera-
tons, no one can predict. The Members of
Congress from tob icco producing states feel
that il is duty they owe their constituents to
vote for the repeal of the internal tax on to-
bacco in almost any shape that it might he
presented.
These are exciting days for the Senators
whose terms expire on The fourth Of March,
and there are many indie ,'ius that the Ssn-
ate will be much changed after tina, time. ii,it
whether or IL t it will be improved In charac-
ter or ability is open t" question. Senator
Congerof Michigan, who has ,en in pabl ic
life for thirty-two years. is to be- slc.2 eded by
Col. Stockbridgs, b.c:us. til. Utter is 4 rcli-
er man. The long bearded publican mil
lionaire from nevada. Mr.. W. NJ. Stewart, is
coming back tor another terM. No one OBJ
jects to him, no sever a. he was rather live.
ly man in the Senate, and havin. Il prete'l-
tious looking residence here, takes a good
deal OF interest in the improvement Of Wash
ington city.
1t is still doubtful who will get General
Losans place. but Pennsy lvania sends Mr..
Quay. well known boss and in,rguer, in
stead OF Mr.. Mitchell: and Minnesota sends
ex-governor Davis. tariff reforn.er, a writer
of a book on Siakesp care, and a so called ora,
tor in place Of Mr.. Mcmillan. Nebraska is
between a demagogue and mag
nate. and California i still in doubt. as are
also New York. Massachusetts,. Tennessee
and other States.
As to the present col dilion If Democracy
and what ii is doing. Gen. Black, Commits
sioner of Pensions. gives a picture in recent
letter to Allen &. Thurman, which is calcu-
lated to rejoice the heart If every one to
whom success is dear. said he IL tiium-
plant Democracy administers the affairs of
the Republic. Quietly but positively the re-
forms that have long been demanded by the
people. so far as The Administrative branch of
the Governments, is concerned. are in yigor-
Gus effect. Submission 10 assessments bv pub |
lie officials for PARTISAN purposes is not con-
dition of public service. Contracts are not
let to the highest ptrtisan bidder, and public
lands are safe within the pale of the statutes.
What more could I've said in behalf of the |
great party which has brought about these
things in the brief space Of twenty four
months"
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